State Colombian this Wednesday confirmed the death of Felipe Alcócer Alvarino, a member of the ELN national leadership, during the military operation on Saturday in a rural area of the Bolívar department in the north. Operation Medusa was carried out in Morales where two others were killed and six more captured, including Violeta Arango Ramírez, who allegedly planted a bomb at the Andean Mall in Bogotá in 2017, leaving three dead and 10 injured.
Alcócer, also known as Pirry, led the Darío Ramírez Castro Front and served on the ELN national leadership. Defense Minister Diego Molano told reporters that his death marks the end of a 36 year history of crime for a figure who directed actions that harmed civilians and attacked energy infrastructure across the country. Molano noted that during nearly four years of the offensive against the ELN, 2,247 members of the guerrilla group were captured, 120 were killed, and 1,005 have been discharged or are returning to civilian life.
Information indicates that the other two deceased individuals were Pirry’s security chief César and one of his escorts, David. Molano recalled that the suspect nicknamed Violeta was accused of placing an explosive device in the bathrooms of the Andino Shopping Center in June 2017. In June 2018, a Bogotá guarantees court extended an arrest warrant for a woman with a blue Interpol circular who had fled justice and was arrested for conspiracy to commit crime and terrorism.
On June 17, 2017, an explosion occurred in a women’s bathroom of Andino Shopping Center in an upscale Bogotá district, which claimed the lives of French volunteer Julie Huynh, 23, and Colombians Ana María Gutiérrez, 27, and Lady Paola Jaime, 31. Colombian authorities blamed the People’s Revolutionary Movement, an organization sharing a similar ideology with the ELN, for the attack. The investigation connected a pattern of attacks and intended harm targeting civilians and public spaces, signaling the persistent threat posed by guerrilla groups in the region and the ongoing government effort to dismantle their networks.
The security operation described as Medusa underscores ongoing efforts to neutralize senior figures and disrupt logistical chains that support illegal activities. Government officials emphasize the need for continued vigilance as security forces pursue remaining operatives and dismantle cells linked to the ELN. In official statements, the authorities frame these actions as part of a long campaign to restore public safety and protect critical infrastructure across Colombia while offering pathways for disengagement and reintegration for those who abandon armed conflict. The events highlight the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement and the complex regional dynamics that influence the stability of northern Colombia, including the Bolívar department and Bogotá’s urban centers, where past attacks have left a lasting impact on communities and local economies.
Analysts note that the death of Alcócer removes a high-ranking organizer from the ELN, potentially affecting the group’s operational capabilities. Yet experts also warn that the elimination of leaders does not automatically end violence, as factions and sympathizers may continue actions under new command structures. Observers stress the importance of robust intelligence work, community engagement, and international cooperation to prevent the recurrence of attacks and to support victims and at-risk populations as the country moves forward. The government continues to reaffirm its commitment to a comprehensive security approach that includes social and economic development measures aimed at reducing conditions that fuel recruitment by insurgent groups. The evolving situation remains a test of Colombia’s security governance and its ability to sustain progress in regions affected by decades of conflict.
The incident, linked to a broader pattern of guerrilla activity and counterterrorism operations, is expected to shape ongoing policy debates and strategic planning within the Colombian defense apparatus. Authorities indicate that the pursuit of remaining ELN cells will persist, with emphasis on protecting civilians, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and facilitating disarmament and reintegration where possible. Marked as a significant milestone in the fight against insurgent networks, the operation reinforces the priority placed on dismantling leadership structures and interrupting the command chains that enable acts of violence against communities and economic assets alike, according to official accounts and institutional briefings attributed to security officials.